Beschreibung:

A large Meissen porcelain Schneeballen vase and cover, c.1870, of baluster form, with an applied family of golden orioles supported by trailing branches, on a tightly applied ground of mayflower blossoms issuing ball-shaped blossoms, the removable domed cover similarly decorated with two further finches, the pierced cagework lower body enclosing another bird, on a domed and spreading foot, 46cm wide 45cm deep 85cm high including cover (2) Provenance: The collection of Sir Henry 'Chips' Channon, 5 Belgrave Square, London; thence by descent. For a similar example, see: Christie's, 'The Opulent Eye - 500 Years: Decorative Arts Europe', 15 March 2012, lot 87. The first use of Schneeballen ('Snowball') decoration was by J J Kaendler in June 1740 and, in 1742, a bowl, cover and stand was given to the Dauphin, son of Louis XV, with the same decoration (see Maureen Cassidy-Geiger Ed., 'Fragile Diplomacy', 2007, p.158, fig.7-25). The technique was revived in the mid-19th century across all manner of items from bowls to ewers. The present example is outstanding in both size and technique, and is unusual in that the caged bird is decorated in polychrome as opposed to being left white.